What is the problem with your water?

Humus, surface water

Water containing organic matter can make it smell, taste and look different. This indicates that the water is affected by surface ground water. Ingress of surface water, containing organic matter (humus), is conducive to micro­biological growth of bacteria and microorganisms. The problem is addressed using a humus filter.

PROBLEMS

• Yellow and cloudy water with an unpleasant odour.
• Water is unpleasant to drink.

RISKS

• If you wash yourself in water that contains humus, the smell often remains on your hands and other skin surfaces.
• May affect the taste of food when cooking with water.
• High risk of microbial growth.

BACTERIA

Bacterial growth in water is most often caused via soil and faecal contamination, for example via sewage or fertilisers. This involves a risk of organisms that can cause disease. To ensure safe and reliable removal of bacteria from the water, a UV/bacterial filter is used that kills organisms and viruses at the DNA level.

PROBLEMS

• The water has an unfamiliar smell, slightly different colour and may leave deposits that look like mucus.
• Stomach problems attributable to the water.

RISKS

• The purification process is not capable of reducing microorganisms in the water. Gastrointestinal infections are spread through drinking water, but bathing water and vegetables watered with tap water can also be contagious.
• E.coli bacteria (Escherichia coli) in the water indicate leaching of sewage or manure. E.coli are the most dangerous intestinal bacteria and can cause painful poisoning symptoms.
• High levels of coliform bacteria may be due to leaching of surface water, sewage or manure. In drinking water, this results in an increased risk of waterborne infection.
• May cause stomach problems with long-term damage to health, where visible symptoms are not always evident.

HARD-TO-DETECT PROBLEMS

The presence of nitrates, arsenic or uranium in your water is not uncommon, as it is found naturally in the bedrock or the immediate surroundings.
The problems do not involve smell and taste and are not visible to the naked eye. Therefore, you will not be aware of anything until a water sample has been taken. In all cases, this problem can be detrimental to health and should therefore be addressed.

PROBLEMS

• The drain leaks or surface water from fertilised arable land flows into the well.

RISKS

• High nitrate levels over an extended period can pose major risks.
• The blood’s ability to absorb oxygen is impaired, and the risk of oxygen deficiency symptoms is especially high in infants who drink formula milk.
• Greater risk of waterborne infections.

IRON & MANGANESE

These are present in most drilled wells, often resulting in coatings and deposits in the form of a rusty brown and black coating. The water usually tastes and smells metallic, and the taste of blood is not entirely uncommon. Iron and manganese primarily increase the risk of damage to textiles during washing as well as significant costs for replacing pipework and installations. The iron and manganese content can differ in a given concentrate, which is why regular analysis from a water source is needed.

PROBLEMS

• Discolouration of textiles.
• Abnormal smell and taste.
• Deposits on sanitary ware, as well as visible particles in the water sometimes.

RISKS

• Poisoning where high levels are present, especially in children.
• Deposits on sanitary ware that are difficult to remove.
• Coating and deposits that precipitate inside pipework and in plumbing installations often lead to a clogged pipe system resulting in high costs.

BACTERIA

Bacterial growth in water is most often caused via soil and faecal contamination, for example via sewage or fertilisers. This involves a risk of organisms that can cause disease. To ensure safe and reliable removal of bacteria from the water, a UV/bacterial filter is used that kills organisms and viruses at the DNA level.

PROBLEMS

• The water has an unfamiliar smell, slightly different colour and may leave deposits that look like mucus.
• Stomach problems attributable to the water.

RISKS

• The purification process is not capable of reducing microorganisms in the water. Gastrointestinal infections are spread through drinking water, but bathing water and vegetables watered with tap water can also be contagious.
• E.coli bacteria (Escherichia coli) in the water indicate leaching of sewage or manure. E.coli are the most dangerous intestinal bacteria and can cause painful poisoning symptoms.
• High levels of coliform bacteria may be due to leaching of surface water, sewage or manure. In drinking water, this results in an increased risk of waterborne infection.
• May cause stomach problems with long-term damage to health, where visible symptoms are not always evident.

HARD-TO-DETECT PROBLEMS

The presence of nitrates, arsenic or uranium in your water is not uncommon, as it is found naturally in the bedrock or the immediate surroundings. The problems do not involve smell and taste and are not visible to the naked eye. Therefore, you will not be aware of anything until a water sample has been taken. In all cases, this problem can be detrimental to health and should therefore be addressed.

PROBLEMS

• The drain leaks or surface water from fertilised arable land flows into the well.

RISKS

• High nitrate levels over an extended period can pose major risks.
• The blood’s ability to absorb oxygen is impaired, and the risk of oxygen deficiency symptoms is especially high in infants who drink formula milk.
• Greater risk of waterborne infections.

IRON & MANGANESE

These are present in most drilled wells, often resulting in coatings and deposits in the form of a rusty brown and black coating. The water usually tastes and smells metallic, and the taste of blood is not entirely uncommon. Iron and manganese primarily increase the risk of damage to textiles during washing as well as significant costs for replacing pipework and installations. The iron and manganese content can differ in a given concentrate, which is why regular analysis from a water source is needed.

PROBLEMS

• Discolouration of textiles
• Abnormal smell and taste.
• Deposits on sanitary ware, as well as visible particles in the water sometimes.

RISKS

• Poisoning where high levels are present, especially in children.
• Deposits on sanitary ware that are difficult to remove.
• Coating and deposits that precipitate inside pipework and in plumbing installations often lead to a clogged pipe system resulting in high costs.

Hard Water

Hard water involves a high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions that produce lime deposits. This entails a risk of precipitation in pipes and, above all, when heated, where the hardness-forming ions will precipitate and form limescale. Hard water can cause damage to textiles when these are washed. Problems involving hard water are resolved with a soft water filter. The payback time is short, as heating costs are reduced by EURO 200–300 /year.

VISIBLE PROBLEMS

• Greyish white coatings on mixers and spray heads.
• Greyish discolouration of textiles when these are washed.

RISKS

• When heated, hard lime deposits are formed that are very difficult to remove. In the hot water system, limescale is formed, resulting in a significant loss of output in the energy transfer to the water.

ACIDIC & CORROSIVE WATER

Acidic and corrosive water results in greenish deposits on copper pipes and coatings on both taps and spray heads. There is a risk of corrosion on pipes, which in turn can lead to increased metal levels in drinking water. Dealt with using a deacidification filter to increase the pH.

VISIBLE PROBLEMS

• Green coatings on copper pipes/fittings, on sanitary ware and in the tap spray head.

RISKS

• The corrosive carbonic acid in the water attacks the copper pipes and gradually reduces their wall thickness. Over time, this can lead to leaks.
• Damage to copper pipes in plumbing installations.
• Acidic water can dissolve metals which are in the ground and the pipes. These can affect your health.

Hydrogen sulphide

Hydrogen sulphide is a gas that easily binds to water. he smell from hydrogen sulphide is usually likened to rotten eggs. The gas cannot be detected with the naked eye. Hydrogen sulphide is a compound of sulphur and hydrogen and occurs naturally in deeper drilled wells. Shallower pockets of the gas may also occur. ow harmful hydrogen sulphide is to health depends on the concentration, but in large quantities, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, smarting eyes and lack of energy are noticeable. The problem is addressed by adding large amounts of oxygen to the water.

PROBLEMS

• The water smells like rotten eggs.
• Occurs even at low levels of hydrogen sulphide.

RISKS

• In the event of direct exposure, the gas can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches or mild irritation of the eyes.